Blog – Fitness with Britthttp://fitnesswithbritt.com
Personalized fitness for busy people.Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:12:20 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.5New Totalbarre classes start soon!http://fitnesswithbritt.com/new-totalbarre-classes-start-soon/
Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:12:20 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=794First off, thank you for the many supportive emails, texts, and hugs after my last, very personal post. It is encouraging to know that my circle, my village, is farther reaching than I often think it is. You all made it wonderfully clear that whatever our struggle, we are in this together!

And speaking of being together, let’s gather again and work out! My summer of studying and vacation is winding down and I’ll return to teaching Totalbarre on Tuesday, September 5th. I want to see you again!

I’ll be teaching two Totalbarre classes each week at The Confluence in Berlin, one on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm (note the new time!) and one on Friday evenings at 4:45pm. Each class is an hour long and will be different each time you walk in the studio, with new challenges to keep your muscles guessing and your mind engaged. If you’re new to my blog (welcome!) and to Totalbarre, check out the class description here.

As always, my aim is to keep the tunes motivating you through the toughest points in class (did anyone say Quad Quaker?), so I’m crafting a couple new play lists that will include everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to Amy Winehouse to Daft Punk. I am currently taking requests, so be sure to comment below or contact me with favorite tunes so you can hear YOUR jam in class.

All Totalbarre classes will be ongoing. In other words, I will not be running “sessions” where you sign up for 6 or 8 weeks at a time. In each individual class, all spots at the bar are open to anyone (members, non-members, drop-ins), so I recommend you reserve your place in class in advance. Drop-ins are welcome if there is space in class. You can sign up now in Zen planner here.

I was cleaning my son’s room this morning and under the piles of cast off book jackets, broken crayons, and random Legos, I came upon a small popsicle stick, the kind you might have made a little treasure box out of as a child. But this was not part of a craft project. It was, rather, a document of the tumultuous year my son and I have had. Months ago, my angry seven-year-old, in a moment of rage wrote, “I HATE YOU MOM” boldly in black Sharpie on this popsicle stick. Finding it, my heart sank. My eyes welled up, and I sobbed. It was a stinging reminder of the emotional cliff-diving our family experienced this past year as our son began exhibiting symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: severe tantrums, slamming doors until the frame broke, punches, screams, kicks, and scratches. Every day when he got frustrated with life, bedtime, or simply the way I put ketchup on his plate, I would hear, “you’re the worst mother in the world!” The constant, daily barrage of “I hate you” chipped away at my heart. While I wanted nothing more than to help him, nothing either my husband or I did seemed to make a difference. The outbursts got worse and our happy-go-lucky little guy was stuck in a perpetual cycle of anger and frustration. I felt beaten down, depressed, and incapable as a parent.

At the same time as these behaviors were escalating, I injured my right elbow. While tennis elbow doesn’t sound all that bad, it was an injury that kept me from exercising at all for months, as most movement caused my arm to move, and that caused pain. The tendonitis kept me from pulling, pushing, holding, grasping, lifting, or bearing weight of any kind with my right arm for months. I went in and out of physical therapy. I continued teaching despite the injury and despite being unable to demonstrate many of the movements I was asking my clients to perform. I re-injured myself four times teaching classes, squashing any progress I had made to heal. The frustration of not being able to move as I wanted to, coupled with not being able to teach the way I am required to, compounded the emotional stress. It was hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel. My lack of movement led to weight gain, sending me further into self-doubt. Looking in the mirror, I no longer saw a fit person. Feeling weaker, heavier, and less competent, I began to fear that I was “unfit” in more ways than one.

I have been grappling for months with whether to write this post and reveal such vulnerability. In the end I decided to share this because I think at some point in our lives we all have looked at our reflection and seen someone we don’t recognize, an image that doesn’t support the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. We have times when we’re incredibly strong, and moments of severe vulnerability, when our self-esteem seems as fragile as a hummingbird’s egg. At work, I pride myself on being knowledgeable about the human body, on being fit, on being able to motivate others to pursue their healthy goals, and at home I take pride in being a good parent. But this year, I felt as if I was failing on all fronts. Who was I if I couldn’t move, couldn’t stay fit, and couldn’t help my son? My inner strength was failing. The voice inside started to say things like, “no one is going to be motivated by you with all that extra weight,” and “you don’t have any idea how to help him be happier,” instead of, “it’s going to take time, but you’ve got this!” We’ve all heard this negative self-talk, the bigger, louder voice that bullies our positive inner cheerleader.

When my inner tyrant began speaking up too often, too boisterously, I realized I could not move forward alone. Accepting vulnerability led me to a path away from self-doubt. I asked for help for my son and got it in spades, from professionals, family, and friends alike. I asked for help for myself and found patience again and appreciation for the other sides of me that define who I am outside of my physical self. I remembered to be kinder and gentler to myself and was reminded that no one expected me to be infallible, just human. These days my son is getting the support that he needs. He is happier than he has been in a long time. He and I know that we’ll never give up on him. Ever. And that our family’s love is truly unconditional. I’m still battling the tennis elbow, but it’s getting better. I’m weaker and heavier than I want to be, but I am working on it slowly. If anything, I have emerged with even more empathy and sympathy for anyone struggling with parenting, weight loss, injury, recovery, negative self-image, and depression.

I have not thrown away my son’s popsicle stick, and while I am not going to frame it, I think it is important to keep this token from our difficult year to remind me that I am, and we all are, a work in progress. Ever-evolving, complex, imperfect human beings. And despite our daily struggles, whatever they be, it’s all going to be just fine. Maybe even better than that. Especially when we don’t go it alone.

Here’s what clients are saying about my Totalbarre fitness classes:

“The routines are different every time I come which keeps my body guessing and I never get bored. I also love how knowledgable Britt is about the body and how it works and that she ensures proper alignment at all times.” – J.R. Montpelier, VT

“I love how great a full body workout it is, while also being safe and mindful of those with a diastasis issue. I love Britt’s reframe of each class not being just “a class”, but a step along each person’s personal fitness journey. And I love that I am getting noticeably stronger each week.” – J.B. Middlesex, VT

“I love the support that you offer to push us that extra few seconds and the inner strength that comes from this. I’m amazed at how effective this class is at strengthening our core!” – M.F. Barre, VT

These popular classes sell out, so don’t wait to register! The Tuesday session will run from May 2nd to June 13th and the Friday session will run from April 28th to June 2nd, with no class on May 19th. A minimum of 8 participants are needed in each of these series to have them run, so sign up now and start talking it up to your co-workers and friends. You can pay for the series using your existing Confluence membership or punch card, or you can buy a punch card when you register. Drop-ins will be available only after we meet the minimum enrollment for each class. Class times are Tuesdays at 6:15pm and Fridays at 4:45pm. If you have questions about Totalbarre or how a series class works, please contact me directly at britt@fitnesswithbritt.com. Enroll here and select either May 2nd or April 28th to find the registration class for Tuesdays or Fridays.

See you in the studio!

]]>New Totalbarre session starting soonhttp://fitnesswithbritt.com/new-totalbarre-session-starting-soon/
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 11:48:49 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=777I am launching three new Totalbarre classes next month on Tuesdays at 6:15pm, Fridays at 4:45pm, and Saturdays at 8am. Each class will be a 5 class series, running from March 14 to April 15, with no class on April 1. Don’t wait to register! A minimum of 8 participants are needed in each of these classes to have them run, so sign up now and start talking it up to your co-workers and friends. Tuesday night’s class sold out within 24 hours last time, so don’t wait! You can pay for the series using your existing Confluence membership or punch card, or you can buy a punch card when you register for the series. Drop-ins will be available only after we meet the minimum enrollment for each class.

]]>Customized Nutrition & a Whole 30 Dinnerhttp://fitnesswithbritt.com/customized-nutrition-whole-30/
http://fitnesswithbritt.com/customized-nutrition-whole-30/#commentsMon, 09 Jan 2017 17:17:59 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=762No too long ago the great folks over at Green Mountain CrossFit asked me to develop a nutrition program for their members. CrossFit gyms, more than other health clubs and studios I’ve been associated with, foster not only health through the hour of movement you do at the gym each visit, but also in the other 23 hours a day their clients have to make good health choices. Expanding their offerings to include nutrition really rounded out their wellness platform. I back their approach wholeheartedly and felt inspired by preparing this program. A passion I fueled through nutrition coursework a few years back was reignited.

I have two announcements as a result. First, I am pleased to announce that I am offering Customized Nutrition Coaching as a part of my business in partnership with GMCF. I care about how healthy you are in every aspect of your life, not just your physical fitness. My commitment extends to helping you fuel yourself with the best nutrition possible. Let me help you get started, stay motivated, and keep making the best choices every time you open your fridge or pantry.

I offer:

Assessments of your nutrition, body composition (don’t be afraid of this one!), lifestyle, fitness and other factors to create a sustainable program to achieve your goals.

Structured programs to keep you consistently headed toward those goals. Programs run in 3-week intervals to give you enough time to try out suggestions and see how they work for you.

Coaching to help keep you accountable and adjustments as we go to make your program suit you perfectly.

Recipes to help you fall in love with nourishing, healthy, beautiful food one morsel at a time. Guidance on cooking and meal planning for optimal nutrient intake.

Coaching options may include body composition measurements, fridge and pantry cleanouts, email support, menu and recipe suggestions, and plenty of ongoing support to help you be successful. For a full list of options, click here.

Second, as I crafted a philosophy statement, delicious weekly menus, grocery lists to match, and coaching and support options, I realized quickly that I was again interested in pursuing advanced education to become a Registered Dietitian. I say “again” because I had started in 2010 and had to press the pause button for a while. But within a few weeks of developing these program offerings, I realized I was ready to forge ahead and enrolled in my first class. I am officially pursing a master’s degree in Dietetics! I can’t wait to share important nuggets of nutrition information as I progress through the program and, not to worry, will continue teaching group and individual fitness classes as I pursue my degree. Oh, and if any of you readers want to barter one-on-one classes for Organic Chemistry coaching, let me know!

Despite the name, here’s quick, easy Whole30 friendly healthy recipe for lunch or dinner this week. I served this to a crowd on Saturday night and everyone loved it!

]]>Biggest Giveaway of the Year!http://fitnesswithbritt.com/biggest-giveaway-of-the-year/
http://fitnesswithbritt.com/biggest-giveaway-of-the-year/#commentsTue, 13 Dec 2016 19:03:54 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=750With 2017 right around the corner, many of you are already thinking about your fitness plans for the New Year. Me, too! I’ve been busy brainstorming and planning some incredible stuff for the upcoming year. In my next blog post, I’ll have two big announcements for expanding my business in very exciting ways, so look for them in the next week or so. In the meantime, the start of a new session for Totalbarre and Boot Camp is just about here. Plus, I have a giveaway for new clients this week and a massive discount for current clients. Read on!

Fitness classes at The Confluence in Berlin:

Totalbarre will take a couple weeks off for the holidays, so this week’s classes will be the last ones of this session. The January/February session begins on January 3rd. Tuesday and Saturday’s classes SOLD OUT last session, so if you’re interested and ready to commit to the series (January and February), please contact me now so that I can secure your spot at the barre. A minimum of six participants is needed in each class, and any spaces in class that remain after January 3rd will be open to drop-ins. Classes will 5 participants or less will not run.

Here’s the schedule:

Tuesdays at 6:15pm from January 3rd to February 21st

Fridays at 4:45pm from January 6th to February 24th

Saturdays at 8:00am from January February 25th with NO CLASS ON February 11th

I will be running a very special, one-time Totalbarre demo class at Green Mountain CrossFit North in Morrisville on Saturday, January 7th at 10:30am. Contact me if you’re interested in seeing what Totalbarre is all about. Space is limited.

Rowing is ongoing on Wednesdays at 4:45pm and is a terrific class for everybody! It is a low impact, high results workout that is easy on the joints. Drop-ins welcome. Sign up here.

Another 6-week Boot Camp series starts January 9th! I’m partnering up again with my favorite fellow CrossFit instructor Cady Hart-Petterssen on Mondays and Wednesdays for a 6-week series, 12 classes in all. Guaranteed to take ANYONE from their baseline fitness level and propel you forward in strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, body composition and more. Movements will be functional (real-life stuff like lifting, throwing, squatting, jumping, etc.) and focus on core strength and conditioning. Each workout will have many methods of customization available. Topics like nutrition, recovery, goal setting, self-care, and progress tracking among others will be covered. You can expect us to use yoga, Pilates, PT and other movement prep strategies to work on mobility, flexibility, and stability within our joints. Those with problem areas or past injuries will be assigned “homework” to help improve their soft tissue issues. Workouts are balanced, thoughtfully designed efforts ranging from long, endurance-focused work to shorter strength and stamina-focused work. Everything is done at YOUR speed and we work together, so nobody gets left behind. Click here for more details.

Special Discounts!

For all my 2016 1-on-1 clients, I am offering an incredible discount on personal training bundles. If we worked together this year, I want to thank and reward you with the gift of free training for 2017. Until December 31st, all session bundles are 20.16% off my 2016 prices. In January, my personal training rates will increase, so take advantage of this offer now before prices go up in 2017.

Clearly I’ve been swept up by the magic of the holidays and am feeling extra generous, so it’s time for me to give out yet another big present! This one is for NEW CLIENTS ONLY. So, if you’ve never had the chance to work with me before, comment below about what type of training you’re interested in and I will enter you in a drawing to receive one free hour of personal training in 2017. This could mean postpartum fitness, Pilates, CrossFit, barre fitness, reformer, or any other movement that brings you closer to your goals. I will choose a winner by random number generator on Monday, December 19, 2016. Good luck!

Happy holidays, everyone!

]]>http://fitnesswithbritt.com/biggest-giveaway-of-the-year/feed/5Breakfast On-The-Go Made Easyhttp://fitnesswithbritt.com/breakfast-on-the-go-made-easy/
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 20:14:02 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=746When it comes to getting everyone where they need to be in the morning, there’s no such thing as a leisurely, sit-down breakfast. Still, I want everyone to be properly nourished when they arrive at school or work, so I’ve searched for ways to get protein, carbs, and healthy fats into one, take-it-with-you, quick meal. My answer these days? Overnight Oats. There are some really great recipes on the web for this healthy, filling morning meal disguised as a scrumptious, pudding-like concoction. I found an easy recipe with several variations on wholefully.com and made my own adjustments from there. Monday I made three double recipe batches in different flavor combinations, and within 36 hours, all nine (yep!) jars were devoured. We liked the Chocolate Peanut Butter version so much that we had some for dessert Monday night.

This is a no-regrets recipe that can be easily customized to your likes and dislikes. You’ll find three variations below. Start with the Classic Overnight Oats, and add any spices, nuts, fruits, or healthy additions that you prefer. Cinnamon, cloves, apples, and walnuts might be a great “Apple Crisp Overnight Oats,” but you should design your own version, too! I’d love to hear from you in the comments if you try these recipes or make up your own. Enjoy!

Classic Overnight Oats (from wholefully.com)

Makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients

⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt (I’m in love with Fage brand Greek yogurt!)

½ cup (heaping) rolled oats

⅔ cup unsweetened milk of choice

1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxmeal

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into jars with tight-fitting lids. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour into jars with tight-fitting lids. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

]]>Nutrition Coaching launch- just in time for the holidays!http://fitnesswithbritt.com/nutrition-coaching-launch-just-in-time-for-the-holidays/
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 21:12:45 +0000http://fitnesswithbritt.com/?p=743Exciting changes are on the horizon that will round out the services I provide to my clients. Within the next few weeks, I will be launching a new Customized Nutrition Coaching program in partnership with The Confluence and Green Mountain CrossFit. This expansion of services is all a part of helping you as a whole person, not just during your time at the gym or in the studio. Here is a sneak peak at what I will be offering:

Assessments of your nutrition, body composition, lifestyle, fitness and other factors to create a sustainable program to achieve your goals.

Structured programs to keep you consistently headed toward those goals. Programs run in 3-week intervals to give you enough time to try out suggestions and see how they work for you.

Coaching to help keep you accountable and adjustments as we go to make your program suit you perfectly.

Recipes to help you fall in love with nourishing, healthy, beautiful food one delicious bite at a time. Guidance on cooking and meal planning for optimal nutrient intake.

Coaching options may include body composition measurements, fridge and pantry cleanouts, email support, menu and recipe suggestions complete with grocery lists, and plenty of ongoing positive reinforcement to help you be successful.

Here’s a sampling of recipes from my programs:

Latin-spiced Steak with a Morning Vegetable Medley

Curried Chicken Waldorf Salad

Lamb & Veggie Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce

Southwest Tofu Scramble

Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Lettuce Wraps

Brightly Colored Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Are you curious and ready to charge ahead toward better nutrition and health? Great! In my next post I’ll provide a link to read about and sign up for any of these coaching programs. I’ll also have an added launch discount for those of you who are signed up for my blog. Can’t wait until the next post? Contact me now to get started!

I am launching three new Totalbarre classes next month on Tuesdays at 6:15pm, Fridays at 4:45pm, and Saturdays at 8am. Each class will be a six class series, running from the first week in November through mid December, with no classes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Don’t wait to register! A minimum of 5 participants are needed in each of these classes to have them run, so sign up now and start talking it up to your co-workers and friends. You can pay for the series using your existing Confluence membership or punch card, or new folks can pay just for the series. Drop-ins will be available only after we meet the minimum enrollment for each class.

I’m pleased to announce a brand new workshop just for coaches, personal trainers and fitness teachers!

Training without Harm:

Making Fitness Safer for Prenatal and Postpartum Clients

If you’ve been following my blog you know I am a CrossFit Level One trainer whose specialty is women’s fitness, specifically working with prenatal and postpartum clients. I know how to make CrossFit, Pilates, or any exercise program safer for prenatal and postpartum women. I teach women how to modify movements and exercises to minimize risk of injury and increase their readiness to return to fitness after having a baby. Given my location in a sparsely populated area, I can only reach a few hundred clients a year. So, I’ve decided to spread this important skill to other trainers in the US, starting with Vermont, New Hampshire and New York by giving a workshop just for fitness trainers.

I want all trainers to understand how to help prenatal and postpartum clients safely modify movement as they progress through these perinatal phases. When you are pregnant or have had a baby, I want your trainers to be confident and informed about exactly how to modify movement for you. To this end, I have developed a workshop that teaches trainers what they need to know to keep perinatal women safe. I’m happy to announce this workshop is happening next month.

Training without Harm:

Making Fitness Safer for Prenatal and Postpartum Clients

Saturday, November 12th

1:00pm-3:00pm

at Green Mountain CrossFit in Berlin, VT

$60

In this hands-on workshop, coaches will learn:

What risks are involved in training prenatal and postpartum women without modifications

What movement patterns are contraindicated for prenatal and postpartum women and why

How to modify common CrossFit & fitness movements to make them safer for prenatal and postpartum clients

What diastasis recti is, how it occurs, and how it heals

Other exercises that prevent the diastasis recti from worsening

I have given this workshop to coaches at Green Mountain CrossFit in Berlin, VT. They found the workshop enlightening and the handouts valuable for returning to their classes armed with safer versions of their favorite exercises. I’m excited to spread this information far and wide. You should encourage your coaches, trainers, and fitness teachers to attend! Contact me for more information or to enroll.